Brighton Lights – What to do in the city: 20th December

Music & Entertainment with Joe Fuller

1 Stream the thick, sludgy, enveloping, Black Sabbath-aping Talisman from Boris’ ‘Pink’ album to get a taste for this gig. They’ll be performing the whole brilliant album in fact (I’m looking forward to the spacious opener Farewell myself) and it should be a thrilling rock concert.
The Haunt, 20 December, 7pm

2 Martha sound like a janglier Neutral Milk Hotel with a pop-punk edge to my ears, and a wintry early year concert often has a good come-out-of-the-house-after-your-holiday’s atmosphere about it, so the portents look very good for this one. Generous support from Radiator Hospital, Onsind and Just Blankets round off a great bill.
The Hope & Ruin, 6 January, 7.30pm

3 If panto isn’t your kind of thing then this alternative Aladdin could be for you. The Magic Lamp is a shadow play told using light, paper and oil, and using a Middle Eastern version of the text should put a unique visual and narrative spin on the tale. A bum-friendly 50 minute running time is also welcome.
The Old Market, 28 Dec to 2 Jan

4 From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads (a solo show about a David Bowie obsessive) dissects the life of a pop fan with a head filled with sound and vision and features the voice of comedian Rob Newman. The show was recently updated so should be a poignant celebration of Bowie’s stunning oeuvre.
The Old Market, 8 January

Angela Barnes (Left)
David Jordan (Right)

Comedy with Victoria Nangle

5 The night before Christmas Eve, go nuts at this fantastic fundraiser for the Brighton Housing Trust. Sean McLoughlin’s Christmas Charity Comedy Spunktacular is jam and star-packed, with turns from Angela Barnes, Brian Gittins, Adam Hess, Colin Hoult, Phil Jerrod and Flange Krammer. Awesome.
Caroline Of Brunswick, Fri 23 December, 7.45pm, £8 – SOLD OUT

6 It’s the one to mark in your calendar. Comic Boom is here to tide you over between Christmas and New Year’s. Headlined by local comedy music maestro David Jordan, with handpicked up and coming comics supporting, this is always the best Christmas party to attend.
Komedia, Thu 29 December, 8pm, £9/7

Arts with Brighton’s Arty

7 What do you mean you’ve still got pressies to buy? No stress. There are still a few days to pick up something truly unique – and support local artists at the same time. So take a look at glassinfusion.co.uk, and admire the glowing glass designs of Stephanie Else. She adds metals, foils and lustres to produce a stunning range of work.

8 Over in Arundel you’ve got until 24 December to view the Christmas Mixed Exhibition at Zimmer Stewart gallery. Including paintings, prints, ceramics, sculpture and hand-woven tapestries – curated with love and flair by James Stewart in this bright and welcoming art space.
www.artymagazines.com